River Hospital Unveils Digital Mammograms

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At River Hospital in Alexandria Bay, getting a mammogram is a little easier.

That's thanks to a new piece of technology -- a digital mammography machine. It helps not only patients, but also hospital staff.

"I no longer have to leave the room to process film," technician Monique Skelly said, "and it makes for a lot quicker exam time, which allows me to do more patients in a day and people don't have to wait to get their appointment anymore."

The new machine is called the "MAMMOMAT". Immediately after the reading, Skelly can walk over to the computer and see the image she just took.

Doctors still agree that women should have a yearly mammogram. And this makes it easier, especially for pre-menopausal women.

"Women in their pre-menopause years have a tendency to have more aggressive types of cancers," Skelly said, so this allows them to pick these up and to treat them sooner."

Hospital officials say half of the $300,000 price tag was picked up by the public.

"Fund-raising is a hugely important initiative for the hospital, especially to promote new technology to the hospital," hospital spokeswoman Andrea Bates said.

"The community really gets behind these types of things."

This isn't the only new piece of equipment at River Hospital. The hospital also purchased two new ultrasound machines, one of which is portable and will be stationed in the emergency room.